|
|
 |
|
 |
| News... and more. Get all the latest news, insights, gossip, gripes, and events going on around Ship... Make sure to check back often for new postings! |
|
|
|
 | Random Rants: Things to remember while learning | |
Posted By: TheWatcher (Apr 27 2008, 07:52:21 pm) |
|
|
As a soon to be college graduate I am faced with the reality that I will no longer be apart of SU in a matter of 12 days. I think I heard somewhere that only 30% of college graduates do so in 4 years at the same place. I guess that makes me lucky. Senioritis has kicked in and I am just looking for ways to distract me from doing what I’m supposed to be doing. There are a lot of ways to mess up when you’re away from home at college. I guess since I volunteered my time to blog I’ll share some things that helped me make it out of here. Although a lot of the things mentioned were only learned after the fact.
Time is LITERALLY Money
If you’re like me you are paying a good chunk of change to go here. Every moment of your time here has value. There are so many ways to get the most out of your time at this place. I wish I had made more of an effort to branch out and experience different things but I didn’t.
Also, manage your time spent wisely. Don’t waste time on people or projects that don’t provide you with any sort of enjoyment. Even a project that you don’t want to do has value in it if for no other reason than the feeling of having it behind you. Spend your time with people that you want to be around…. And more importantly… who want to be around you.
Choose friends wisely
By the end of freshmen year most people have a good idea as to who they’re going to be partying it up with for the next 3 years. In fact, its probably best that you do figure that out by then. Make sure the people you choose are trustworthy and worth your time. If you get stuck in a circle of people who don’t share similar interests and goals you will be miserable… Trust me.
Cut people out when necessary
This is the most important piece of advise dealing with college social life I can give. it’s a very complicated thing to do and it isn’t easy at all. College is filled with dysfunctional people. Nobody is perfect but some people have issues. There are those with issues who try their hardest to overcome them and want/need the help of friends. Then there are those who don’t really try, say they need help, but when help is given they lash out and accuse you of trying to “change them”. The latter are the people you need to cut out. Its difficult if you share a circle of friends and you might have to be the first of the group to make the decision that these people are unable to be helped. If you’re right, your friends will follow… if you’re wrong then you come off looking terrible within your circle.
The best way to make the cut is by completely distancing yourself and making it obvious to that person and everyone else. In a world of myspace, facebook, AIM, and cell phones, it is difficult to create space between people. You have to use these things to help you do that because simply not talking to somebody doesn’t send a strong enough message. Although I find this odd, deleting someone from your face book sends a stronger message than cursing someone out… Come to think of it, doing that is probably THE strongest message you could send. You have to cut the lines of communication.
Like I said, this is a delicate and complicated process. You’re making a judgment on someone that you’ve only known for a short time. Then based on the little you know have to determine whether this person has just simply hit a rough patch or if this person is normally troubled. The closer you are to the person, the more inclined you may be to stick around. Your friends in life are like a sports team. There are players you have to keep because they’re so good and take care of so that they’re happy. And there are players you have that aren’t living up to expectations. You can stick with them and hope they turn around… and some do… or you have to get rid of them to be better off.
Skip classes carefully
If you’re a freshmen you should go to every class. The Gen Ed’s are the hardest classes you’ll take because they’re not catered to you. A 300-400 level class in your major could turn out to be “easier” to you than an intro to lit class. In order to get to the point you can take those classes, you have to get through the general credits. If you do skip class just be calculated about it. But most people sleeping when they’re skipping class so I guess that’s hard to do.
Don’t go out too much
There are very few people who can go out and drink every night from Tues-Sunday and still pull good grades. It is expensive on the wallet and on the body. Most of this advice is for freshmen or first year students away from home. By the way, if you have a significant other that is anywhere but here, its going to suck for you.
Freshmen guys: Basically, the only parties that freshmen are invited to are the ones at the frats. Guys, you’re wasting your time going to a frat party, unless you’re gonna pledge. Sometimes you can’t even get in unless you bring girls. In conclusion, your job is to bring the freshmen girls to the parties (even though they’re technically taking you because most parties are thrown by guys and they tell the girls to come out) so that the older guys can hit on them… and other things. You’re best bet is to make friends with older guys and find a spot to party where you’re tight with the people throwing it. Also, don’t go to a random party alone or as the only guy with girls, for safety reasons have a couple fellas with ya.
Freshmen girls: There won’t be a party going down (especially on a weekday) that you won’t get invited to at least 10 times. From what I’ve seen, the peer pressure on girls is more intense than the guys. On one hand, you’re asked to go out every night and get tanked but if you hook up with a guy you just met at the party (which is sorta one of the main reasons you go out to a party in the first place) you’ll be a slut. Though I guess if you don’t do it all the time you’ll be ok. Which is why I say don’t go out at every opportunity. It’ll make your lives less complicated and is probably safer. Especially if you’re one of those girls that turns psychotic or easily persuaded while drinking.
As for everyone else… you tend to go out less as you get older anyways. However, once you hit 21, you tend to go out every night of the week again. This gets expensive. If you’re 21 and still here you already made the right decisions so do whatever works.
Drama doesn’t end in high school
Its worse in college because of many things. Alcohol is the main culprit. Telling someone they’re being an idiot isn’t always pleasant. Now try telling them while they’re drunk. Now try telling them while you’re drunk too. This is where having friends you can trust becomes so important. Is your boy going to (or try to) hook up with the girl that he knows you really like (or you’re already getting with) and use the excuse of being drunk to justify it? Is your friend going to suddenly turn into THAT person from the “Real World” when they have a few too many?
{THAT person = self destructive person, suicidal (but not really) person, Mr. or Mrs. I can do anything I want (or my personal favorite: Mr or Mrs you-can‘t-tell-me-what-to-do. Usually because when they sober up they then complain that you didn‘t do enough to stop them), trash talks everyone like Ali but would get destroyed person… come to think of it, if the person reminds you of anyone from the Real World its gonna be a long night.}
Basically, being a responsible drinker and surrounding yourself with similar people cuts down your drama a lot. People that qualify as THAT person are usually the same people you have to cut out of your life. Simply because drinking is a very important part of your social life that more often than not when you’re with your friends there is alcohol being drank. If you’re uncomfortable with a friend while they’re drinking then that’s a huge sign that you probably need to remove yourself from them.
Keep your mind and eyes open but your ears closed
Believe none of what you hear and half of what you see. In an environment that has so much alcohol and drug use going on, you have to carefully analyze everything (and everyone) that is presented to you. Keep your mind open to everyone and everything. Closing your mind to certain things makes you ignorant and uninformed (then again there are people who like things to be that way). Listen when people tell you something but only act on what you see being done.
Ok well that’s all I have. Maybe most of this stuff is obvious but I don’t know. If you qualify as THAT person and you read this I’m sorry for calling you out… I think. Anyway, my last blog posting I mentioned how the people of Ship were unfortunate to be stuck with Orioles baseball games. They’re in first place right now… yet I still completely stand by my word.
Other random thoughts:
Ryan Howard needs to step up… Chase and Pat need to save some for September
I nearly died while watching the episode of South Park where Cartman teaches minority teens to cheat like white people.
The Madonna CD wasn’t as much of a debacle as I thought it would be
Vanilla vodka and orange soda are a dangerously good combination
The Office is the best show on television right now
I hope traffic for graduation isn’t too bad because I’m trying to get the hell out of here.
Late |
|
| |
Category : Anything
|  Comments [0] |
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
Copyright © myBloggie 2.1.2 2004 2005
Powered by myWebland
Interested in becoming a writer for Ship UG? Contact the Webmaster with ideas for your column, along with a sample article.
DISCLAIMER: Ship Underground does not endorse, nor is responible for, the views expressed in these pages.
|
|
|